Seven Killed, Others Kidnapped As Bandits Attack Niger Community

At least twenty-six (26) people were reportedly kidnapped when unknown gunmen suspected of being bandits attacked communities in the Mashegu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State during the weekend.

Reports obtained by Naija News revealed that the assailants killed seven people before abducting the other victims.

Speaking with journalists in Minna on Sunday (today), the Mashegu LGA chairman, Umar Jibrin Igede, told reporters that residents from at least seven communities were sacked from their residents following the latest attack.

According to Igede, the bandits killed hundreds of residents between January and March 2023.

“Bandits have already caused our people to desert their homes in our communities because of incessant attacks.

“In the last two weeks, terrorists have unleashed terror on Kulho, Sahon Rami, and Tashan Hajiya among other communities. Most of the villagers in the affected communities have deserted their homes to Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in Kontagora and other places for their safety,” The PUNCH quoted the citizen saying.

Igede urged the state government and other relevant security agencies to come to their aid to end the terrorist attacks in the local government area.

He said: “The ongoing attacks on my people are posing a serious security threat to the villagers as the attacks of these armed bandits in Mashegu are becoming unbeatable and we need serious assistance from the relevant security agencies to come to our rescue.”

Naija News understands that the State Police Command is yet to issue any official statement regarding the attack as of reporting time.